SeaScapes

Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the SeaScapes Project covers the Tyne to Tees area.  The project is due to end in late 2024 and is the UK’s first marine landscape Partnership scheme.

Blackhall looking North

The SeaScapes Partnership comprises of local, regional and national partners that work in the coastal, marine and heritage sectors.

The funding has allowed delivery of 23 projects which have benefitted our coastal heritage, the marine environment and local communities.

The Project has focussed on the undervalued Magnesian Limestone seascape between the rivers Tyne and Tees in North East England. This coastline is characterised by its unique geology and is largely designated as Heritage Coast; quite often overlooked as perceptions are blighted by an industrial past. This seascape is rich in maritime, wartime and natural heritage; though much of this is out of sight, held only in memory or hidden beneath the waves, and just waiting to be discovered.

Through the 23 projects SeaScapes has improved access to beaches, explored shipwrecks and habitats beneath the waves, improved biological recording through citizen science, constructed a coastal conservation centre at Whitburn, tackled marine litter through their beach care programme and has created opportunities for local people and visitors to enjoy being on and in the sea. From the start the project took a community-led approach, engaging coastal communities and sea users throughout development and delivery.

The Heritage Coast Partnership is one of SeaScapes’ Partners, alongside South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham and Hartlepool Councils, the National Trust, Northumbrian Water, Durham Wildlife Trust, North East Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, Natural England, Groundwork, Marine Management Organisation, the Environment Agency, East Durham Heritage Group, Donnison School and Durham and Newcastle Universities.

You can read more about the work of the SeaScapes Partnership on their website.

Ryhope Looking North